East Midlands Railway (EMR) announced it will reduce train services until further notice starting July 20, 2026, due to ongoing problems with the recently introduced Class 810 Aurora fleet. The fleet, manufactured by Hitachi Rail, entered passenger service in December 2025 after a delay of three years.
Impacted Routes and Service Changes
Service reductions affect Intercity routes running between London St Pancras and Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Derby, and Sheffield. Starting from the week of July 20, several services will be cancelled, while others will operate with fewer carriages. EMR has operated a reduced timetable on some services for the two weeks prior to this announcement.
Causes of Service Reductions
The disruptions are attributed to a three-year delay in the delivery of the Class 810 trains, compounded by reliability and maintenance issues affecting both the new Class 810 and the older Class 222 fleets. Although warm weather contributed to recent delays, industry sources note it is not the sole factor. EMR emphasized that the Class 810 trains underwent necessary testing and obtained all required safety certifications before entering service.
Statements from East Midlands Railway and Hitachi Rail
Will Rogers, EMR’s Managing Director, said the performance of the Class 810 fleet has “fallen below the levels we and our customers expect,” necessitating timetable changes. EMR issued a statement confirming
ongoing collaboration with Hitachi Rail to resolve the disruption “as soon as possible.” Rogers also acknowledged the challenge front-line staff face in maintaining customer service amid reliability issues. EMR plans to continue rolling out the new fleet in a controlled manner through 2026 and 2027.
A Hitachi Rail spokesperson stated that more than one third of the Class 810 fleet has been delivered and is in passenger service. Hitachi is investing in additional testing at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre to improve the fleet’s introduction and support its delivery.
Passenger Options and Reactions
EMR customers with bookings on affected trains can travel on
services up to two trains before or after their original booking or request a full refund. Bruce Williamson from rail passenger group Railfuture criticized the service reduction, calling it “a step in the wrong direction.” Harborough MP and EMR user Neil O’Brien described the situation as “the latest nightmare for people who use EMR,” calling it a “total mess” ongoing for months.
Fleet Transition and Reliability Efforts
EMR stated that the introduction of the Class 810 fleet was intended for a smooth transition from the Class 222 trains, with a period of overlap during which both fleets would be maintained by Hitachi Rail. The three-year
delay in Class 810 availability, coupled with ongoing issues affecting both fleets, has hindered reliable Intercity service delivery. Hitachi Rail is continuing collaboration with industry partners to address these challenges and support the full deployment of the Aurora trains.
